As all of Hollywood worries about the future of cinema amid concerns over the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros., the breathtaking performance from the Disney critic and audience darling Zootopia 2 emphasizes that moviegoers will come for the right reason.
The Walt Disney Animation Studios sequel surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office on Friday after just 17 days of release. This is only the second film of 2025 to achieve this feat behind another Disney blockbuster. Lilo and Stitch. What’s more, it did so in the shortest amount of time among all Hollywood animated releases and PG-rated films.
The sequel, which continues the adventures of an optimistic rabbit and a cunning fox, topped Friday’s chart in North America with another $6.2 million, for a domestic total of $238.9 million and an estimated $1.08 billion worldwide. (Through Thursday, the pic’s foreign haul stood at a mammoth $753.4 million; Disney will update international numbers on Sunday.)
Zootopia 2 is now on course to return to the top spot in its third weekend after briefly ceding the crown to Blumhouse and Universal’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2which is poised to come in second in its second outing with $20 million as it crosses the $95 million mark domestically.
Thanksgiving Tent Pole Villain: for goodnow in its fourth weekend, celebrates becoming one of five films of 2025 to surpass $300 million domestically. A Minecraft movie, Lilo and Stitch, Superman And Jurassic World: dRenaissance.
It’s Not All Sunny at Disney Park This Weekend as a 20th Century Political Comedy-Drama Ella McCay — which is legendary director James L. Brooks’ first film in years — becomes the latest high-profile adult drama to struggle mightily as awards season heats up.
Ella McCay opened to just $850,000 on Friday for an expected debut at sixth place in the $2.5 million range. This would mark Brooks’ worst career, as well as one of the worst debuts ever for a major studio title releasing in 2,500 theaters or more. Critics have skewered the film despite its high-profile cast which includes Emma Mackey in the lead role, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden and Albert Brooks.
To be sure, Zootopia 2 is great news for the entire Disney film empire, and also marks the first back-to-back billion-dollar releases for Walt Disney Animation Studios, following those last year. Moana 2. The animation studio now has five multi-billion dollar titles since 2013 between FrozenMoana and Zootopia series.
“Everyone at Disney Animation poured their heart, soul and passion into this film to tell a story full of joy, imagination and incredible thoughtfulness,” said Jared Bush, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. “This milestone means a lot to us, because more than anything, it means that audiences are coming to the cinema for a shared experience of watching this film on the big screen, everyone together, from all walks of life around the world – and that’s a Zootopia dream come true.
Zootopia 2 opened to a record $559.5 million over the five-day Thanksgiving to boast the highest animated global opening of all time, the highest global debut of 2025, and the largest global opening for an animated film in Disney history.
The Thanksgiving tentpole also reignited interest in the franchise, generating record viewership compared to 2016. Zootopiawhich peaked at $1.03 billion.
Zootopia 2 is destined to fly much higher, thanks to the upcoming Christmas holidays, when kids are looking for things to do. The market can even accommodate three to four event photos during the last two weeks of the year. The biggest name of the brand is Avatar: Fire and Ash.
December 13, 12 p.m.: Updated with revised numbers for Zootopia 2 and other films.
This story was originally published on December 12 at 8:34 a.m.
